Competition Recital Pictures

Here are a couple pictures from yesterday's competition recital.


Here are the winners in the senior piano division. The three people in the middle of the group are also students of my teacher Charlotte Bendorf. There is Travis Repke in back left center, I am standing just to the right of him, and Stacy Weidner in front center.


Here are the eight winners of the senior division on stage, with one of the honorable mention winners walking up the stairs.
We are standing in order of placement from right to left.


Unfortunately I didn't get a picture with my teacher this year, but here is one from last year.

Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition

Well, Well, Well... Another year, another competition.

Today was the Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition in which I was a participant in the Senior Piano Division. This competition is an annual competition sponsored by the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL. This year I was scheduled to play the third movement of J.S. Bach's Italian Concerto, and Fantasie Impromptu by F. Chopin.

We arrived at the church around 4:25pm, and proceeded inside around 4:30pm (my performance time was 4:45pm). The Senior Piano Division was performing in the 2nd Congregational Church this year, instead of in the Emerson Auditorium where it has been hosted in the past. The Church is a beautiful place, and they do have a very nice piano there, for which I was very grateful. After registering just outside the Sanctuary, we headed up to the warm-up room, where I was very pleased with the warm, flexible, and relaxed state of my fingers at the time. We headed back downstairs and waited around for the monitor (who this year happened to be my piano teacher) to take us into the sanctuary.

When I got into the sanctuary, I was able to play a few chords, and a scale to warm up. The piano was very beautiful, except for a C# (the one an octave above middle C) that was terribly out of tune. Unfortunately, due to a number of things, I had a very hard time concentrating on the music.

The performance went very well, except for a couple things. At one point at the end of the Italian Concerto I made a mistake that just came out of the blue. I'm not sure why it happened, but it did, and I was able to make a quick recovery from it. Over all, I felt good about the performance of that piece.

The Fantasie Impromptu went well, except for a couple of rolling left hand chords that I didn't get right. These wouldn't have been too bad in my mind, except for that on the repeat, I did it again. That's the killer, especially since it wasn't a difficult part at all. Then, the last problem that I had was that as the piece was winding down, getting quieter and quieter, my hands got a little out of sync. In getting my left and right hand back in sync, I had to repeat a measure. Ouch!

When we were leaving the place, I had no clue where I was going to land placement wise. I knew that other than these few mistakes, my performance was rock solid. But I also know that bad music makes a stronger impression than good music. And I wasn't sure how strongly those mistakes had tipped the scales.

Needless to say, I was very surprised about an hour and a half later, when I found out that I had won second place! People always say that second place is the worst, and I'm here to say that I think it is. But it got even worse when I found out that I lost to a girl who won first place in the junior division last year!

Argh!

Oh well, there's always next year, and the College Division. (proof I'm from Chicago)

A Dead Snowmobile

This week I almost traded my go-kart (that is literally almost in perfect shape) for a Polaris Indy 650 Snowmobile.

On Tuesday I drove my go-kart to Capron and looked at the snowmobile that the guy wanted to trade. I fired it up, and it ran great, and very powerfully. After looking it over, I thought it was definitely worth the trade. I told him that whenever he could get it to my house, he could take the go-kart.

Wednesday while I was helping pack Nathan and Jeanine's apartment into the trailer, we got a call from the guy asking if he could come by and drop off the snowmobile that night. I said that was fine, and that since Dad was at home, he could do it whenever he wanted. Well, when he found out that I was 17, he decided to wait until I got home, because he was afraid that Dad didn't want me to make the trade, and that Dad would be all mad at him. I assured him that it was fine, but he still didn't want to. I told him that I'd be home at 6:30 so anytime after that was fine.

When we got home, he was already there, and the snowmobile was unloaded. I walked over to where they were standing, and started asked a few basic things about the snowmobile. He answered the questions and then proceeded to show me where all the fluid filler caps are, emphasizing the point that I should check them often. This didn't sound good to me, and we asked if he had any leaks. "No" he said "but I always like to check my fluids, especially the coolant, since being water cooled, it overheats fast if it doesn't have any coolant". Something seemed a little fishy, so I asked if I could take it around the yard a few times before he took the go-kart. He said sure, and I fired it up. It ran so well, and was scary fast the first time around the yard. But when I was coming around the second time, I saw a dense fog ahead. When I got to it, the smell told me that it was without a doubt, two-stroke exhaust. This thing was smoking up a storm. I knew that this is somewhat normal for a two-stroke engine upon start-up, but this should have quit smoking by now. Anyway, after I stopped driving it, it kept smoking. I stood there and watched it for a while to see if it would stop smoking. The whole time it just kept idling slower and slower. I hopped back on it and gunned it, it slowly went up to 4000 RPMs and didn't budge, I let off the gas, and eventually it died.

Needless to say, I didn't make the trade. I'm not sure if it overheated, or what happened. But come to think of it, I never did check the coolant.

An Impromptu Prank Phone Call.

Tonight I got a phone call:

Me: Hello, this is Jonathan!

Unknown: Um, hello I have some engines I want to sell (I have a wanted ad out for small engines from 8 - 14HP).

Me: Oh, ok, (taken a little off guard) um, yea, so what... Ok, well, tell me about them!

Unknown: Um, do they need to run?

Me: Well, not really, but of course I'm not going to pay a whole lot for an engine that needs repair. So what size are they?

Unknown: Um, i-it's a twelve horse engine.

Me: Oh, ok what brand is it?

Unknown: Uh, K-Kohler

Me: Oh! What size was it again?

Unknown: F-Fourteen Horse.

Me: Ok, so how many cylinders does it have? (I'm beginning to tell that this guy isn't mentally with it)

Unknown: T-Two.

Me: Oh nice, um how old is it? (I don't think they make 14HP twin cyl. engines)

Unknown: It's fourteen years old.

Me: (surprised that this guy who appeared to be thinking so slowly even knew how old it was) Well, if it's ok, can I look around at other engines like this a little, and get back to you with a price?

Unknown: Sure.

Me: Ok, do you want me to call you back at the same number that you just called me on.

Unknown: Uh... No!

Me: Ok, then let me get a pen and pad and I'll take down your number.

Unknown: Juan!

Me: (thinking that he was now shouting off the numbers slowly starting with one). Just a second, I don't quite have a pen here yet.

Unknown: Juan, it's Dave.

Me: (thinking he wants me to know his name also) Just a second, I've just got to get a pad of paper.

Unknown: (more shouting into the phone, but I can't tell what he is saying at all now because of the amount of noise in our kitchen made primarily from Corrine yelling "Ma-Ma" "Ma... Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma", the CD player playing the Jonathan Park Audio Adventure Series, Josiah telling Corrine to be quiet so that he can hear what's happening, and Joanna washing dishes).

Me: (finally out of the kitchen with my pen and pad) Ok, sorry I couldn't quite tell what you were saying, can you start over with the number.

Unknown: Juan! It's me... Dave Inyart!

_____________________________

Well, I don't think I've ever been so fooled over the phone by anyone before. Good job Dave!

BTW: That voice you were using, hang on to it for our next film. That was really good.

Anybody want to start a Museum?

Hey, if anybody out there want's to start a computer history Museum, check out this auction on Ebay.

Click HERE to see it.

Honda Ad

Have you ever wanted to start a "band" that played only instrumental music, with nothing more than a talented group of vocalists? Well, I have.
And when I saw this ad, I thought it was so good that I'd share it with you all.

Click HERE to watch it.

Another tag...

Hi Everybody! This is Jessica. Since Jonathan's out of town I thought I'd hack into his site (which is fairly easy to do since I know his username and password).

Anyway, like nearly everyone else in Bloggerdom, I have finally been "tagged." I thought I'd make it through the epidemic without getting caught, but as I have now been tagged by both Ethan and Kristalyn over on Anthony's blog and also by Nikkae on the Huber blog, I guess I'll give in and do it! But I'm posting it here rather than on the family blog because... well, just because! :-) It might be good to have a salt shaker nearby as you read some of these answers. And don't hold me to them tomorrow morning, I may have changed my mind! (What good is a mind if you can't change it??)

Seven things I'd like to do before I die:
1. Visit the 11 states I haven't been to yet
2. Tour Europe - and maybe a few other places 'round the globe
3. Reduce the deer population without the aid of a vehicle
4. Create a home that is warm and welcoming for family, friends, and all who may seek rest or refuge within its doors
5. Be a better daughter/sister - and in general more purely reflect Christ's beauty and holiness
6. Write something that I actually enjoy reading afterwards and don't continually edit!
7. Attend the weddings of all my friends and siblings - which is already a vain hope as a friend that I have known for her whole life is getting married in southern Alabama on March 4, 2006! Obviously, I won't be able to be there.

Seven things I can't do well:
1. express myself verbally
2. make a pie crust look nice
3. anything remotely artistic
4. teach music theory
5. teach anything!
6. stay calm when in a hurry
7. storytelling

Seven things I say often:
(My family was even unable to help me fill in the last two...)
1. Children!
2. Must we! (usually said in conjunction with the previous statement)
3. Gravy boats...
4. Hey, hey, hey!
5. I'm still using that! (generally in reference to the computer)
6.
7.

Seven things I'd like in a husband:
1. Rich
2. Charming
3. Intelligent
4. Handsome
5. Talented
6. Interesting
7. Someone who has *won his spurs* and, of course, wears the radiant attire associated to his rank

Seven books/authors I've enjoyed(aside from the Scriptures, of course):
1. Worthy is the Lamb
2. Woman: Her Mission & Her Life
3. Dictionary
4. Thesaurus
5. Encyclopedia
6. O. Henry
7. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch! or maybe By the Great Horn Spoon...

Seven movies... (a general disclaimer regarding this list is appropriate, if redundant):
1. Home movies can be excessively boring but we've got some real gems, too!
2. Henry V (love quoting it!)
3. Ironwill (we just watched it for the first time, so it had to make this list)
4. A variety of musicals and parts of musicals
5. Secondhand Lions was fun
6. Do Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and other such 'movies' count? How about the Popeye cartoon that we wore out the tape on???
7. I enjoyed the A&E Pride & Prejudice, too (it's the only version I've seen)
(Can you tell I'm not much of a movie person??)

Phew! There it is. Done. Taggers, I hope you are pleased!

Brandon Huber's Birthday

I would like to wish a very Happy Birthday, and 16th year to my friend Brandon Huber.



Happy Birthday Brandon!


If you'd like to wish Brandon a Happy Birthday, please do so in the Comments section of this post.

Random Photo Series of the Random Moment: Do I have to eat this?

Caroline, you eat what you are served always with a cheerful attitude.















That's better, now open wide!















(under her breath) Why do we always have to come here to eat, can't we just eat our own food?

I've been tagged (again).

I've been tagged (again). Only this time I was tagged before I got to get over being tagged the first time!

I was first tagged by Ryan Kelly, and I was supposed to give five things that are weird about me.

Then I was tagged by Brandon Huber, and I'm supposed to give seven things about me, from seven specific categories. However, I have run up against a problem. This is that Brandon only supplied me with six categories! Therefore I will take matters into my own hands, and mix Ryan's tag into Brandon's tag, so that they'll both be happy, and Brandon won't feel tyrannical.

BTW: The items listed in each category are not necessarily the biggest or most important seven things in each category. They are only, and should only be considered, seven of the many things in each category.

Here they are:

Seven things I hope to do before I die:

1) Get Married.

2) Rapidly shoot pop cans from the hip at a distance of 30' away without missing.

3) Take a ski trip into the Mountains somewhere.

4) Achieve some sort of gracefulness.

5) Build a race track on my property for off-road racing.

6) Build an engine that runs primarily on water.

7) See one other currently confidential, highly impossible, but altogether practical and original idea in production.

Seven things I cannot do well:

1) Play Basket Ball

2) Sight-read music

3) Fit into small places

4) Smell roses without making a face

5) Listen to music with lyrics while studying

6) Relate with Telemarketers

7) Survive in above 80 degree weather

Top seven favorite movies:

1) National Treasure

2) The Mask of Zorro

3) Second Hand Lions

4) The Court Jester

5) The Patriot

6) Sergeant York

7) The Miracle (incredible scenes at the end, but I can't stand most of it)

Seven things I say often:

1) What are you talking about?!

2) What on earth!

3) Oh my word!

4) Hey, how's it going.

5) Ga-Mownien!

6) Hello, this is Jonathan.

7) Yee-Haw!

Seven things that I'd like in a wife:

1) She must meet all my requirements.

2) She needs to enjoy, and be capable of doing things other than sewing and tea-parties.

3) A sense of Humor.

4) Two arms would be nice.

5) Two eyes would also be nice.

6) A couple legs would be helpful.

7) Oh, don't forget the brain.
And...

...Oh BTW, I need to like her.

Seven favorite authors and books:

1) The Bible (obviously that is the book that I am most grateful for).

2) Swamp Fox of the Revolution (The Patriot was based on this)

3) Sergeant York and the Great War

4) God King

5) The Raft

6) The Endurance

7) WE WERE THERE at the Normandy Invasion

Seven things that are weird about me:

1) I have no attachment to most of my assets (ok, technically liabilities).

2) I require lots of pressure to get me to practice the piano (competitions, recitals etc...).

3) I don't understand people who get offended/embarrassed easily, and consequently offend/embarrass people without knowing it.

4) I have an unquenchable thirst for speed.

5) When I'm under pressure, or needing to do something that I don't want to do, the Refrigerator becomes a very attractive appliance (well, I guess it's the stuff inside that really gets me).

6) I really can't stand heat.

7) I can't stand the feel of ankle socks.

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Double-Chess Master

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Double-Chess Master

The Double-Chess Master David Inyart competes against Dustin Webb and Jonathan Erber alongside his teammate Jordan Knottnerus.

The Perfect Car For Women

For many years I've never thought that girls were very big on cars.
Secondly, I never thought I'd find a car that I'd like, and girls would also.

But today, things changed...

Today I found the coolest car that I have ever seen, with a unique feature that girls would like also!

Check it out by downloading the video HERE.

History Has Been Made Tonight!

Tonight, for the first time in over 2779 days, I won a game of ping-pong against my brother Joshua.

Ok, I know this doesn't say much for me, but this marks a much anticipated day of my life, and I thought I'd share it with you all.

Thank you for being my audience!

Making the most of the snow while we have it.

Dashing through the snow
In a five horse open sled
Through the woods we go
Screaming all the way...!


Josiah seems to prefer the front seat, which really helps turning in the snow.
Of course the back seat (Joseph) is a very necessary position, as that helps provide traction for forward motion.

All combined, there is just enough weight provided to pull one person on the sled in the back.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Outside the Snow is falling...

Yesterday we got 6" of long awaited snow! This winter started out icy cold, but since then has toned down to a more mild winter. Yesterday however, was beautiful!

Grateful to be out in the winter wonderland (which came in after dark yesterday), a few of the younger ones were allowed, prior to jumping into bed last night, to go outside for a little while to satisfy their starving winter appetite.


Enjoying the Snow


Ultimate Relaxation

Nathan & Brenton Huber, up from Texas.

Last week Nathan & Brenton came back to Illinois for their cousins wedding. We were glad to be able to host them for a couple days, and had a lot of fun doing so.


Brenton and Joseph having fun on the Go-Kart. Joseph was doing the Gas and Break since Brenton couldn't reach the pedals, while Brenton navigated them both around the yard.

The Final Ford Mustang Episode.

Yesterday found Nathan Huber, Joshua and I in my Mustang, heading down to Morton Grove (right near O’Hare Airport) to meet a guy that was interested in buying my Mustang.

We showed up, and he walked around the car commenting that it looked really good for a 1990. I popped the hood expecting that he wanted to see the engine, and he proceeded to look at the bottom of the hood at the back of a dent that was on the front. He said that he didn’t think the dent was much of a problem, so he closed the hood (which didn’t latch again for some reason). Then he walked to the passenger side door and asked if I’d take him out for a drive! He said that I knew what the car had to offer, so it’d be best if I drove it. We got in the car and headed out. While we were out driving, he got a phone call from someone whom he proceded to tell that he was going to buy the car!

Needless to say, I have never had an easier time selling anything, which was a welcome reprieve from my previous history with this car.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

My Car, for sale once again.

My car just got back from the shop, and it was only a fried Fuse Link Wire, so the repair was about a third of the cost of having the fuel pump replaced! On top of that, they ran some tests to see if there were any other problems that might have caused the circuit to short out, and there were none that they found. But most importantly, it's back out for sale, and there are a couple people interested in it via a web ad that I put up!

Praise the Lord!

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Back Yard Friends

Random Photo of the Random Moment: Back Yard Friends

This is not a Jonathan Erber Original, but I saw it, and thought ya'll would like to see it.

My car goes to the doctor tomorrow.

Hey everybody,

My car is going into the shop tomorrow, please pray that it's a minor electrical problem, not the fuel pump itself.

I really can't afford to put any more money into this car, so your prayers would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jonathan